Separated at birth?

[roniliquidity]

Also, is it just me or are the Dresden books a whole lot like the early Anita Blake books? I mean this in a good way.

I'm on Dresden book 2 and it's seems like mostly a difference in gender presentation.

Comments

[kudilu]

the first couple in both series are pretty similar. however, they diverge wildly later - for instance, while there is a (very) small amount of (tasteful) sex (that isn't spelled out) in the Dresden books, Anita Black has pretty much devolved to porn, with some small attempt at a plot. which is fine for what it is. Dresden is all about the plot, and there just happens to be some sex occurring at a few points.

[anivair]

They actually came out of Anita Blake, in a literary way. He started writing at 19 and a teacher suggested that he write something like Anita Blake, rather than high fantasy. SO the correlation is not only clear, but intentional, i think. I hear they grow apart as the series goes on, though.

[forestmaster]

I didn't know that... very cool!

[count_01]

Except that there is less St Louis, and more Chicago, sure, I can see it.

[orikes13]

For the early books, yeah. It's about book three that the two series start splitting off from one another. Butcher starts adding more humor and gets better at weaving his plots together while Hamilton starts adding more sex. And more sex. And.. well, more sex.

I still enjoy the new Dresdent books coming out, but I stopped reading Anita Blake after 'Narcissus in Chains'.

[darkenna]

I was very happy to find that Anita is getting back to being the tough-as-nails-vampire-slayer in the last few books. I like that Anita better than the ho-in-denial stuff. When I want campy sex, I read the slut fairy series. Anita I prefer kicking ass.

[darkenna]

I've been wanting to start the Dresden run, but have never been able to work up the enthusiasm. Are they any good, or is it simply consumable fantasy? (Not that i mind if they are; I've certainly consumed enough of it over the years to have more than a bit of taste for it!)

[count_01]

Honestly, a little of both. There's a wicked sense of humor that reminds me a bit of Spider Robinson, and a little down-on-his-luck gumshoe action that reminds me of Dashiell Hammett, and some good old-fashioned shoe-leather and shirtsleeves writing that manages to hack together half-decent plots about twice a year and still string 'em together into an overall pretty cohesive and entertaining chronicle.

B+ in my book, which is good enough to enjoy without feeling like you're doing it to improve yourself.

[darkenna]

Sweet! Thanks. Picking up the first one this afternoon. : )